What is abdomen

abdomen n. the part of the body cavity below the chest {see THORAX), from which it is separated by the 'diaphragm. The ab¬domen contains the organs of digestion -stomach, liver, intestines, etc. - and excre¬tion - kidneys, bladder, etc.; in women it also contains the ovaries and uterus. The re¬gions of the abdomen arc shown in the il¬lustration: terms in brackets are those used in anatomy textbooks (rather than in day-to¬day medical practice) to designate these re¬gions, —abdominal adj.